turbomuz Member 209 Member For: 19y 6m 7d Location: Canberra Posted 08/08/05 04:51 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 04:51 AM I was having a tinker under the T last weekend (as you do) and decided to take off the front plastic under tray that sits under the I/C and radiator etc. I couldn't really see the purpose of it and not many other cars have them so off she came.I figured that not only does it make it easier to slide the trolleyjack under the crossmember to do oil changes but it may also improve engine bay cooling by opening it up a little from the bottom.I also cable tied the RHF radiator hose and the power steering cooling line up a little so they don't hang below the front spoiler level.Has anyone else taken theirs off?Muz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian6T T.P.I.S. Donating Members 2,578 Member For: 19y 11m 17d Gender: Male Location: SoR, WA Posted 08/08/05 04:58 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 04:58 AM What you took off there is called a stone guard and that's exactly what its purpose is, to protect the engine and radiator from stone.CheersAdrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobrav8 Member 1,969 Member For: 19y 7m 27d Gender: Male Location: New Zealand Posted 08/08/05 05:03 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 05:03 AM I am no expert on aredynamics - but.... from what I do know:With the panel installed it should mean that less air comes in from under the car into the engine bay, which actually means the pressure in the engine bay will be lower - so... more air should be sucked through the radiators etc if the panel is fitted.Happy to be convinced otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo6man Lifetime Members 4,084 Member For: 22y 1m 10d Gender: Male Location: South Coast NSW Posted 08/08/05 06:59 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 06:59 AM Removing the undertray is bad for a few reasons. Ready?1. It is integral to the strength and impact resistance of the front bumper cover. With it removed you will be able to readily feel by hand that the whole bumper cover now has little or no rigidity. This will cause it to sag even more than they already do. Not to mention how much more quickly it will suffer damage if it bottoms out over a driveway etc. Oh, hang on, I DID mention it!! 2. It is integral to the airflow under the vehicle and aerodynamically it helps to prevent pressure building up under the front of the car at speeds above 120km/h.3. It is integral to the proper airflow through the cooling system of your vehicle - air is meant to enter the engine compartment via the lower scoop in your bumper cover and if air pressure from underneath is allowed to enter the engine compartment then the airflow through your radiator is lessened.4. It is integral to the performance of your turbocharged engine because airflow over the intercoller is effected as in #3 above.5. Finally, if removed it allows easy access to someone to place a floor jack under the front of the vehicle and attempt to jack the vehicle from under the centre of the front main crossmember. This will result in damage to the alloy crossmember.Hope this helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYRZ Donating Members 333 Member For: 19y 9m 13d Gender: Male Location: VIC Posted 08/08/05 07:10 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 07:10 AM Removing the undertray is bad for a few reasons. Ready?1. It is integral to the strength and impact resistance of the front bumper cover. With it removed you will be able to readily feel by hand that the whole bumper cover now has little or no rigidity. This will cause it to sag even more than they already do. Not to mention how much more quickly it will suffer damage if it bottoms out over a driveway etc. Oh, hang on, I DID mention it!! 2. It is integral to the airflow under the vehicle and aerodynamically it helps to prevent pressure building up under the front of the car at speeds above 120km/h.3. It is integral to the proper airflow through the cooling system of your vehicle - air is meant to enter the engine compartment via the lower scoop in your bumper cover and if air pressure from underneath is allowed to enter the engine compartment then the airflow through your radiator is lessened.4. It is integral to the performance of your turbocharged engine because airflow over the intercoller is effected as in #3 above.5. Finally, if removed it allows easy access to someone to place a floor jack under the front of the vehicle and attempt to jack the vehicle from under the centre of the front main crossmember. This will result in damage to the alloy crossmember.Hope this helps...What he said. Removing the undertray is bad news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F6 UTE - Track Bound EVO III - Member 3,367 Member For: 19y 11m 5d Gender: Male Location: Strapped in and holding on Posted 08/08/05 10:03 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 10:03 AM (edited) Removing the undertray is bad for a few reasons. Ready?1. It is integral to the strength and impact resistance of the front bumper cover. With it removed you will be able to readily feel by hand that the whole bumper cover now has little or no rigidity. This will cause it to sag even more than they already do. Not to mention how much more quickly it will suffer damage if it bottoms out over a driveway etc. Oh, hang on, I DID mention it!! 2. It is integral to the airflow under the vehicle and aerodynamically it helps to prevent pressure building up under the front of the car at speeds above 120km/h.3. It is integral to the proper airflow through the cooling system of your vehicle - air is meant to enter the engine compartment via the lower scoop in your bumper cover and if air pressure from underneath is allowed to enter the engine compartment then the airflow through your radiator is lessened.4. It is integral to the performance of your turbocharged engine because airflow over the intercoller is effected as in #3 above.5. Finally, if removed it allows easy access to someone to place a floor jack under the front of the vehicle and attempt to jack the vehicle from under the centre of the front main crossmember. This will result in damage to the alloy crossmember.Hope this helps...<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Sorry to correct you, but..................You neglected to mention the word "integral" in point #5.. Edited 08/08/05 10:04 AM by XRT UTE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo6man Lifetime Members 4,084 Member For: 22y 1m 10d Gender: Male Location: South Coast NSW Posted 08/08/05 10:45 AM Share Posted 08/08/05 10:45 AM Removing the undertray is bad for a few reasons. Ready?1. It is integral to the strength and impact resistance of the front bumper cover. With it removed you will be able to readily feel by hand that the whole bumper cover now has little or no rigidity. This will cause it to sag even more than they already do. Not to mention how much more quickly it will suffer damage if it bottoms out over a driveway etc. Oh, hang on, I DID mention it!! 2. It is integral to the airflow under the vehicle and aerodynamically it helps to prevent pressure building up under the front of the car at speeds above 120km/h.3. It is integral to the proper airflow through the cooling system of your vehicle - air is meant to enter the engine compartment via the lower scoop in your bumper cover and if air pressure from underneath is allowed to enter the engine compartment then the airflow through your radiator is lessened.4. It is integral to the performance of your turbocharged engine because airflow over the intercoller is effected as in #3 above.5. Finally, if removed it allows easy access to someone to place a floor jack under the front of the vehicle and attempt to jack the vehicle from under the centre of the front main crossmember. This will result in damage to the alloy crossmember.Hope this helps...<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Sorry to correct you, but..................You neglected to mention the word "integral" in point #5..<{POST_SNAPBACK}>And that's because the word "integral" has no place in point #5 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbomuz Member 209 Member For: 19y 6m 7d Location: Canberra Posted 08/08/05 12:49 PM Author Share Posted 08/08/05 12:49 PM Removing the undertray is bad for a few reasons. Ready?1. It is integral to the strength and impact resistance of the front bumper cover. With it removed you will be able to readily feel by hand that the whole bumper cover now has little or no rigidity. This will cause it to sag even more than they already do. Not to mention how much more quickly it will suffer damage if it bottoms out over a driveway etc. Oh, hang on, I DID mention it!! 2. It is integral to the airflow under the vehicle and aerodynamically it helps to prevent pressure building up under the front of the car at speeds above 120km/h.3. It is integral to the proper airflow through the cooling system of your vehicle - air is meant to enter the engine compartment via the lower scoop in your bumper cover and if air pressure from underneath is allowed to enter the engine compartment then the airflow through your radiator is lessened.4. It is integral to the performance of your turbocharged engine because airflow over the intercoller is effected as in #3 above.5. Finally, if removed it allows easy access to someone to place a floor jack under the front of the vehicle and attempt to jack the vehicle from under the centre of the front main crossmember. This will result in damage to the alloy crossmember.Hope this helps...<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks for that Turbo6man, although I dispute your first point. All the retaining screws and clips went into the bumper so I think the bumper supports the tray not the other way around.I do note points 2-5 however and I definately don't want to disrupt the cooling and I am guilty for jacking the car via the front crossmember. Best I get under the car this weekend and reattach it. BTW, where can I jack both front wheels at the same time or is it a no no?Muz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrunks Member 665 Member For: 20y 4m 10d Location: Gold Coast Posted 08/08/05 12:54 PM Share Posted 08/08/05 12:54 PM I've had mine off for ages with no ill affect nor any difference in performance. if anything it goes better as it has a better air flow for the motor.As for aero dynamics, that's just bullsh*t as it has FA effect.Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAP No boost, no bottle, just my foot on the throttle! Lifetime Members 7,935 Member For: 20y 9m 6d Gender: Male Location: Sydney Posted 08/08/05 01:01 PM Share Posted 08/08/05 01:01 PM Russ,Its your car you do what you want.But...I doubt you would notice if the stone guard was removed or not as far as performance or cooling is conserned, but if you are reducing the airflow effect, it may end in tears, then Ford would tell you to jump when you claim warranty on a busted (insert anything mechanical at the front of the car).I would not recommend it.Muz,The stoneguard would provide rigidity to the lower portion of the bar. it would provide structual integrety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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